Mason&#39;s splitting machine



Jan. 29, 1957 1 H. scHLoLJGl-iA ET A1. 2,779,324

MAsoNs SPLITTING MACHINE F11ed April 19, 1954Q O /S o FY' o 36 34 O o o /6 /61' j/f 33 /fm f MASONS SPLITTING MACHINE Leon H. Schlough, White Park, and Wesley E. Schlough, Saint Cloud, Minn.

Application April 19, 1954, Serial No. 423,879 6 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 23) This invention relates to a masons splitting machine and more particularly to a device for causing the controlled fracture of stone, brick and concrete products, to form such sizes and shapes as may be required for particular positions in masonry jobs.

It has been the practice for brick masons and those working with concrete products, to break a masonry unit where necessary by scoring the unit with a chisel mark produced by hammering the chisel in a peripheral line lintil the unit breaks in a plane across the peripheral mar Where the work can be done more quickly, as in the case of softer bricks and easily split concrete products, it has been the practice for masons to merely strike the unit with the edge of their trowel and cause it to fracture approximately in the right position. When reducing or dividing the natural stone products, it is usually necessary to employ a chisel and hammer and to take particular care to avoid shattering one or both of the divided products.

In some instances, a variety of sizes and shapes of masonry products are furnished directly from a factory with the object in view of rendering unnecessary, any further splitting in the field. In such case, it is usually the practice to employ a massive and expensive machine within the factory to produce the shapes required and these shapes must be stocked within the factor, in a large variety of sizes and shapes in order to properly accommodate the mason. Such practice necessarily raises the price of the units and the mason would prefer where possible, to split his own products on the job. In a few other instances, masonry products made with hydraulic-setting cements are molded with a prescored line or indentation formed peripherally of the product, the prescored line deliberately weakening the cross section so that a sharp blow will cause the product to split in a plane across the prescored line. Such units present an unnatural appearance since the prescored line forms a smooth and artificial looking border about the product and it is not to that class of product that this invention is directed.

It is the purpose of this invention to reduce the number of culls and at the same time, to create a beautiful and natural appearance to all broken masonry products including natural stone, bricks, cement units and artificial stone made by selected aggregate bonded by hydraulic cement.

It is a general object of the invention to overcome the difficulties encountered in prior art practice and to provide an efficient and economical machine which will produce large numbers of split pieces per unit of time.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a splitting machine which will be easily portable and of light weight, yet having a great deal of strength and rigidity for splitting stone units and the like.

It is another object of the invention to provide a machine in which opposed knife edges converge in pressing relation upon a masonry unit to cause rupture thereof nited States Patent O r ice 2 in a natural and stone-like appearance while maintaining the broken surface within controlled limits.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a machine in which masonry units to be divided, can be easily slid on a table surface which will support the weight of the product to be divided, yet which can temporarlly yield under pressure of the splitting knives to permit rupturing, all the while supporting the product both before and after dividing.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an inexpensive and simple machine of the class described, which can be rapidly adjusted to accommodate different sizes of masonry products prior to applying high splitting pressure thereto.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of our splitting machine, portions of framework being cut away to better `show the cooperation of the parts;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the machine taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1, certain portions of the machine being shown in full line; and

Fig. 3 s an enlarged detail of the upper knife structure in section, as viewed in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing, our apparatus has a framework structure indicated generally at 10, which in turn comprises a base member 11 and spaced, parallel uprights 12 at each side of the base and rigidly secured thereto, an upper cross head piece 13 rigidly interconnecting the spaced, parallel side members at an upper position thereon. Each of the uprights 12 is divided into a pair of members having a slotted guide opening 14 disposed therebetween, asshown in Fig. 2. The upright members 12 may be formed of separate angle iron members having flanged sides 15 at the inside in spaced, parallel relation and outer anges 16 diverging in coplanar relation at the outside. The cross head 13 is preferably selected of such a thickness as will provide spacer means to establish the opening 14 between each angle iron in the upright 12. Plates 11a help to keep the .uprights rigid at base 11.

Mounted in guided relation with the upright members for vertical reciprocation, is a work-supporting and splitting member indicated generally at 17. This member, in turn, may comprise a platen 18 constructed of spaced angle irons 18a and having a pair of clamping members 19 which in turn hold an upstanding knife edge element 20 which has outwardly extending tabs 21 received within the guide slot 14 in the upright members 12. One or more pin members 22 may be passed through openings in the clamping members 19 and the upstanding knife edge clement 21 for rigidly holding the knife edge in position.

A table top 23 is resiliently mounted above the platen 18 and is provided with a peripheral frame 24, as shown in Fig. 2. The top surface 25 of table 23 is provided with an elongated opening or slot 26 which is in alignment with the rigid knife edge 20. The table 23 may be secured to the platen 18 by means of bolts 27 disposed one at each side of the table and extending through the platen to terminate therebelow and be secured in abutting relation by means of washer 28 and nut 29 threadedly secured to the lower end thereof.

A spring-receiving cylindrical member 30 has a shouldered, annular abutment 31 formed therewithin and a compression spring 32 mounted therewithin and surrounding the bolt 27. The compression spring 32 bears against the under surface of table top 25, one each of the spring `assemblies mounted at each side of the platen and table top. A rigid knife edge is secured to the cross head ll3and is-indicatedat 33. This knife edge may be secured beneath the cross `head bysuch meansfas .apair of clamping brackets 34, each of the pair having inwardly angled lower edges 35 which are adapted to grip the triangularknife -edge 33, .as Shown `in erilargedldetaillin Fig. 3. A ,plurality of fasteners .such `asbo'lts '36 `may be ,employed to draw together the clamping *brackets 34 so as .to hold the triangular, straightedge '33 in secure abutment against .the lower edge o'f'cros's head 113.

Power means, indicated generally at 37, is disposed between the framework 110 and the-knife element Z0, as shown in Figs. l and 2. -It `is understood of course, that the work-supporting and splitting member 17 might be rigidly secured .to the framework 10 while lthe lknife-edge 33 could be .caused to :move rec'iproca'bly-and-imder the influence .of the power means 37. `We pre-fei'ihowever, to ldispose the Vpower means hetween v.thebase -11 andthe knife edge 20 through the platen structure 18, as disclosed inthe drawings.

The power means 537 vcomprises"'-tw'oparts, `one a quick acting, adjustable portion 'for 4bringing-theplaten upwardly and into working clearance with `the-opposed knife edge 33 so as to lsave time lin bring-i-n'g Athe working elements into .position for-applyin'gpressure to 'the product. The quickly adjustable portion Voft`l1e-power means cornprises a rotatable shaft 38 which is mounted y'in bearing brackets 39 which in lturn are supported Lfrom the underside of the work supporting .and splitting member 118, as shown in Fig. 2. Handle means 40 shown in part, may be employed to rotate the shaft 38. vlA-bevel'ed ,gear 41 is secured axially at the inner A--endof --shaft 38 and 'in geared relation with the .bevel gear 42 "whichin turn, is Secured to the shaft 43, having bearing lrelation -at its upper reduced end 44 with the underside of platen '-1-8. Theshaft 43 is threaded at 45 and adapted to be threadedly received at .the upper end of hydarulic ram 46, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The other portion `of the power lmeans 37 comprises a hydraulic ram 47 which zmaylbeiactuated-by 'a manual pump 48 having a handle 49 pivotally mounted to a supporting bracket 50 and 'having connection lthrough a clevis 51 with a plunger .piston 52 operating through liuidpumping relation upon thehydraulic-.ram 46 in -a manner well known to the art. Valve means for `releasing the pumped fluid may be provided at v'53 in accordance with conventional practice. A 'bracket "54 may -be secured to the upper end of hydraulic Iram 46 andhaveoutward and opposite extensions with openingsSS formed there- 4 ,through to receive respectively, a tension{spi-ling -56 which in turn is secured at each side to a hook 57 attached respectively .to the upright members '1-2 at each `'side f the device.

In the use yand .operation `of-our t'tppar'atus, a masonry product to be split is placed upon the upper surface 25 of the table 23, the weight of the product being insuliicient to cause the table to `sink against compressive spring action of the resilient mounting. The .quick acting portion of the power Ameans 37 is then actuated through handle 40 to cause ytheshaft 38 'and 'bevel gear 41 to rotate in their bearings 39. Bevel :gear 42 will then rotate the threaded shaft 45 causing it to rapidly rise relative yto the base 11 and to bring the vplaten 18 together with the table top 23, upwardly `until the work piece will contact the knife edge 33. vThe workpiece Lmay be adjusted during preliminary voperation so that lthe `knife edges are in exactly the proper 'location for splitting. Theshaft 38 is caused to continue its movement with `the work piece pressing against the knife edge 33 until 7the table top 23 becomes depressed against the action of springs -32 sufiicient to extend knife edge y20 yupwardly through the velongated opening '26 `and into-contact with the bottom of the work piece. At this point, theimanuah quickacting portion of the lpower means is allowed to remain at its upwardly adjusted yposition and pressure is applied through the pump `48 and hydraulic rain 46. The

threaded shaft 45 together with the entire quick acting mechanism and -the platen, knife edge 20 and table top 23 will then continue to rise under high force and when the rupturing point of the product is reached, it will split in a general plane defined by the knife edges 33 and 20. The splitting plane will have natural irregularities which simulate the appearance of rough-cut stone.

It may thus be seen that we have provided an apparatus of a simple and light construction which will accomplish heavy duty splitting of masonry products through rapid adjustment of the parts into working position after which high pressure can lbe simply applied to effect the final rupturing of the product.

It will of course be observed that once the stone product has been split, the pieces formedthereby will continue to be supported by the table 23 and will not fall away or add to the strain imposed upon the product by the niachine itself. The quick acting mechanism of the power :means 37 may "be employed to retract the platen and table `for receiving larger sized masonry products as well as .to close the gap between the knife edges when a small product lis being cut. Where a number of consecutive operations are to be performed on masonry products hav- `ing'the same size yand dimension, the quick action portion `of the power means may be left at its adjusted position and only and more powerful hydraulic ram employed.

In any event, the adjustability Yand rapid performance of fthe machine -makes it possiblefor the mason to extend his operation at the field without requiring additional help ztolmanufacture or produce special shapes or sizes either at the .factory Ior by extra help Von the job.

'What is claimed is:

1. A splitting machine for stone and masonry products comprising a base, a pair of spaced uprights secured to the base and each having yan inwardly facing longitudinal ,guideway therein, a fixed knife blade secured acrossthe uprights in spaced relation to the base and having a knife edge directed toward the base, a vertically movable knife 'blade extending across the uprights with opposed side edge-.portions thereof engaging said guideways, said movable knife blade having a leading knife edge directed toward the knife edge of the iirst mentioned knife 'blade to cooperate therewith, a hydraulic ram secured in upstanding relation with the base intermediate said uprights, the movable member of ysaid ram having a mainrear section `and a forward section extensible and contractible relative thereto, said forward section being disposed with .itsxouter end-in vertical alignment with `said movableknife :blade lat .the underside thereof in supporting operative relation therewith to exert upward pressure thereon, the

movable ram member with its forward extensible section .being Amovable outwardly slowly under 'high hydraulic Vpressure of the ram to split a product placed 'between the edges of said knife blades, and separate manually Voperable mechanism interposed between the rear end portion ,of said extensible forward section of the ram and the l.forward part-of the rear ram section and providing for .moving said extensible section outwardly relative `to the rear ram .section at a relatively greater rate of lineal movement and a relatively lesser degree of power for -quick positioning of said movable knife blade in light work contacting position before lfinal splitting pressure is applied through the hydraulic ram.

2. A splitting machine of the construction defined in Claim 1 and wherein said separate manually operable mechanism has a handle disposed rearwardly of the movable knife blade.

3. A split-ting machine .of the .construction `delined .in claim l and wherein said separate manually operable mechanism includes a threaded connection between the 'inner end portion of the ,forward section of the movable ram member and the forward end portion of the rear section of the movable ram member, and a wheel tixedly secured on the forward extensible section of the movable ram 'member for transmitting rotary movement thereto.

4. Apparatus for dividing a masonry product in a plane simultating natural, rough-cut stone comprising, a structural framework having a base, upright members and a top cross head all rigidly interconnected, a horizontal platen guidedly mounted `for vertical reciprocation upon said upright members, an upstanding knife edge rigidly mounted on said platen in a medial position thereon, a second knife edge element mounted across said upright members in opposed and parallel alignment with the first mentioned knife edge element, a hydraulic ram secured in upstanding relation with the base intermediate said uprights, the movable member of said ram having a main rear section and a forward section extensible and contractible relative to the latter, said forward section being disposed with its outer end at the under side of and in supporting operative relation with said platen to exert upward pressure thereon, the movable ram member being movable outwardly slowly under high hydraulic pressure of the ram to split a product placed between the edges of said knife blades, and separate manually operable mechanism interposed between the rear end portion of said extensible forward section of the ram and the forward part of the rear ram section and providing for moving said extensible section outwardly relative to the rear ram section at a relatively greater rate of lineal movement and a relatively lesser degree of power for quick positioning of said movable knife blade in light work contacting position before nal splitting pressure is applied through the hydraulic ram, said separate manually operable mechanism including a threaded connection between the forward end portion of the rear section of the movable ram member and the inner end portion of the forward section of the movable ram member, a gear wheel fixedly secured on the forward extensible section of the movable ram member, a horizontal shaft mounted for rotation on the platen at the under side thereof, a pinion xed on the inner end of said shaft and meshing with said gear wheel, and a hand crank on the outer end of said shaft.

5. Apparatus for dividing a masonry product in a plane simulating natural, rough-cut stone comprising, a structural framework having a base, upright members and a top cross head all rigidly interconnected, a horizontal platen guidely mounted for vertical reciprocation upon said upright members, an upstanding knife edge rigidly mounted upon said platen in a medial position thereon, a work-supporting table top resiliently mounted upon said platen and having means permitting relative movement of said knife edge through the surface thereof, a second knife edge element mounted across said upright members in opposed and parallel alignment with the rst mentioned knife edge element, a hydraulic ram secured in upstanding relation with the base intermediate said uprights, the movable member of said ram having a main rear section and a forward section extensible and contractible relative to the 1atter,' said forward section being disposed with its outer end at the under side of and in supporting operative relation with said platen to exert upward pressure thereon, the movable ram member being movable outwardly slowly under high hydraulic pressure of the ram to split a product placed between the edges of said knife blades, and separate manually operable mechanism interposed between the rear end portion of said extensible forward section of the ram and the forward part of the rear ram section and providing for moving said extensible section outwardly relative to the rear ram section at a relatively greater rate of lineal movement and a relatively lesser degree of power for quick positioning of said movable knife blade in lightwork contacting position before nal splitting pressure is applied through the hydraulic ram.

6. A machine for splitting masonry products comprisinfy a structural framework having a pair of spaced rigidly formed upright members, a xed knife element disposed transversely of said upright members, a second knife element disposed transversely of said upright members and having its leading edge directed in opposed parallel relation toward that of said first mentioned. knife element and movable convergently therewith, a work-supporting table having a plane upper surface and a slot formed thereacross and overlying the lowermost of said knife elements, a resilient mount for said work-supporting table relative to the said lowermost knife element, and extensible power means secured in upstanding relation to said structural framework intermediate said uprights, and bearing against the rear portion of the movable knife element, said power means having a hydraulic portion extensible in vertical alignment with said :movable knife element to exert force thereon tending to congerge said knife elements under high hydraulic pressure to split a workpiece placed between the edges of the knife elements, and a separate manually operable portion mounted in alignment with the hydraulic portion and also vertically aligned with the movable knife element and providing for moving said extensible power means outwardly relative to its connection with the framework at a relatively greater rate of lineal movement and a relatively lesser degree of power for quick positioning of said movable knife blade and depression of said table top against its resilient mount to place the movable knife blade in light working contact with the workpiece prior to application of hydraulic force.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,877,364 Schoenberg Sept. 13, 1932 2,508,587 Turchan May 23, 1950 2,557,098 Graham June 19, 1951 2,593,606 Price Apr. 22, 1952 2,613,661 Huber Oct. 14, 1952 2,657,681 Gatzke Nov. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 551,606 France Ian. 11, 1923 

